Run Like Fire

The Bridge

Her blood red hood flew in the wind, leaving a blur. She gripped the black fur beneath her even tighter as they neared the river. Both of them knew what to expect, but neither of them were ready for the consequences of crossing Tansy's Troll Bridge.

The rolling waves of the river ahead made Red's stomach start to churn. The sword at her side started to glow red, warning of danger. Red whistled shortly, and the dog stopped. A few yards away was the bank of the river, and for some, their imminent doom.

"Stay here, Jack. I don't want her to assume the worst from us." Jack snorted, but did as he was told. He crept up next to a nearby tree and laid down halfway under a butter berry bush.

"I'll whistle if I need you, or when it's time to cross." Red pet Jack's head before turning away. Jack gave a little whimper as she disappeared.

Jack would have come along with Red, if only he had some clothes to change into when he changed back into human form. Also, at this late at night, it was too risky to keep changing back and forth.

Red cautiously stepped up to the waters edge. No bridge stood in sight, but Red knew better. She hummed softly a tune of ancient times. A low tone, for about 8 beats, and then a high for 2, and a mild one for 6 more, tapping her black boot to keep rhythm. She did this twice, stepping back to escape the trembling ground.

A stone bridge, reaching all the way across the river, rose from the ground, crying out in pain from being still for too long.

Red waited patiently for the bridge to lay still once more. She tugged at her hood, pulling it down to cover her eyes. A cry echoed through the trees, and Red closed her eyes as the wind picked up, swirling around at the middle of the bridge, forming the body of a woman with long white hair, pearly eyes, and a dress of gold silk.

"Who has awakened me from my slumber!" The woman ran over to Red and reached to grab her, but her hand burned once it was too close. She brought it back to her side, and smiled. "A protection spell." Her smile grew wider. "Smart girl."

Red lifted her eyes to look at the woman. "You have what we need. And I'm willing to pay." She tugged at her satchel, which hid her now brightly glowing sword. It started to vibrate, making Red sweat in fear.

The woman's smile disappeared. "You wish to cross my bridge. Yes, I understand, but with who?"

Red whistled softly, without looking away from the woman. Jack walked into view, his size overwhelming. The woman's eyes grew at the sight of the werewolf.

"The price goes up as the size grows," she said. "Can you pay?"

It was Red's turn to smile. She opened her bag and pulled out three gold coins, each the size of her palm.

The woman tried to take them, but burned her hand once more. "Hand them over."

Red held them out and dropped them in her palm. "May we cross now?"

The woman looked at the gold as if it was her life in her hands. She turned the coins over and over until she had memorized each of them. "Y-yes," she mumbled. "Please, yes, you may cross now."

Red pulled her hood down once more, and proceeded to cross. Suddenly, a high pitched squeal erupted. She turned back to the woman.

She fell slack, her back to Red and Jack. The coins dropped to the stone floor, seconds before she fell, too. A hooded figure held her demise, a dagger, dripping with the troll's blood.

The figure bent down and picked up the coins as the bridge began to shake. The hood fell off, revealing a white face, yellow eyes, and pearly fangs. He stared past the coins in his fingers and into Red's glowing orange eyes in the moonlight.

"Well well, whatever do we have here?" He took a step forward, making Jack growl menacingly.

The bridge broke, shattering into pieces as the troll's body disappeared into sparkling dust. Red screamed, clutching Jack's black fur. The black water engulfed them, chaos erupting within the forest of Evelafor.